RATHER OBSCURE

Evening Star, Issue 16220, 15 September 1916, Page 6

RATHER OBSCURE

OUE BALKAN' OFFENSIVE. HAS IT COMMENCED? TURNING THE RUPEE PASS. THE STRUMA VALLEY, [By Cnrocus.j The news from the Balkans still remains comparatively obscure, and it is difficult to say with confidence whether the allied offensive han really begun. Mr Ward’ Fnce, cabling from Salonika, describes the recent attacks across tho Struma as “ successful raids,” and states that it was not intended to hold the captured positions permanently, adding that alter the positions had been reconnoitred the raiders returned to tho British lines. On the other hand Baris reports substantial progress by tho Serbians northward', of Kovil, and also further west in tho neighborhood of Lako Ostrovo. There is also an unofficial report that tho French have captured Sorovitch, west of Lako Ostrovo. Apparently the allied troops are not grouped together m single masses according to nationality, but each nationality has divisions or brigades operating on various parts of the front. Wo hear of the French lighting on both flanks, as well as in tha centre. _ The Serbians have been reported as fighting both around Lake Ostrovo and near the Vardar River; while the Italians are not only assisting the Serbians near Labe Ostrovo, but officially claim to have made substantial progress 'between Demirhissar and Doiran, and to have driven the Bulgarians beyond the railway. Such an arrangement has both advantages and disadvantages. Tlie mixing of divisions has the advantage that it helps to check the tendency of generals to plav for their own hand and attempt to gain special credit for the troops of their own nationality; while, on the other hand, close co-opera-tion is very difficult between troops speaking different languages, and the problems of transport and supply are much complicated. THE BELESH PLANINA. The advance of the Italians across the Demirhissa-r-Doiran railway towards tho Belesh Range is of importance. This bround has been fought over before. When the Greeks advanced against the Bulgarians in 1915 they had to face a somewhat similar strategical problem to that confronting the Allies now. It -will bo remembered that tho Bulgarians have seized and fortiffed the formidable Rupel Defile, the gap in the Belesh Mountains through which rmi tho Struma River and tho road to Sofia. To advance upon Sofia wo shall have to capture the pass and the mountain range through which it runs, and tho wav in which the Greeks dealt with a similar position is instructive. Behind the Belesh Range tlm Strumitza River runs west to east and joins tho Struma River to the north of the Rupel Defile. The Belesh Range is very rugged, but not very high. Instead of a direct attack upon the defile the Greek Staff determined to turn it from the west. The Greek army therefore advanced by way of Lake Doiran, climbed over tho Belesh Range, and worked their way down the Strumitza Valley to the roar of the They came within an ace of bagging tho greater part of the Bulgarian army. Most probably a somwhat similar plant wilt bo followed'by the Allies. They need first to capture Seres, however, in order that they may close upon the front of the defile as well. THE STRUMA VALLEY.

. A good deal has been said from time to time of the difficulties likely to be experienced by the Allies in tho matter o f communications. Those of the Rumanians and Russians should not be very difficult", but the roads from the south by'which tho Anglo-French and their Allies must advaneo are few and indifferent. Still, the difficulties are only such as may be overcome with energy and careful preparation. When the Greeks had captured the Belesh lE.rigo and the Rupel Defile they advanced up tho Struma Valiev, Only a siimie road runs up it, and the country alongside G Impracticable ter wheeled traffic. Yet the Greeks took a largo army toward* Sofia that way, and maintained‘it successfully. The operation has been described by Captain Trapman; “It was soon discovered that it was quite impossible to move field guns over any of the mountain tracks, and consequently', during the 13th, 14th, and 15th of July, tho wliolo of the Greek liekl artillery was niovine along tho main road in the Struma Valiev. °Here we had the unusual instance of ‘an annv some 120,000 men strong advancing over a front some 60 miles wide, with the 3 whole of its artillery- moving in a long column behind the centre.” Evidently the difficulties. both of transport a-ml' of tactics, win not be small, but tho Greeks overcame them, and so shall wc. If they were able to take 120,000 men up the vallev, we should be able to take up an equal a still larger force up the Vardar Valley, where we shall have the advantage of a railway. There arc in addition tho Monaster and Adrianople routes, eo wc should be able to deploy anything up to half a million troops against the Bulgarians, if they are available. But the niost swift and decisive blows will probably come from tho north. THE RUMANIAN FRONTS.

Xo important changes are reported from the Dobrndja. but it would seem *Siat the first comment made here upon the report that Varna had been evacuated by the Bulgarians was the soundest. Apparently neither Baltcbik nor Dobrich have vet been evacuated. Neither side makes ariv definite claims to further successes., but a German communique states that’ “southeast. of Hoetzing, in tho Dobmdjn, the movements were according to the schedule drawn up by the War Office.” Whether the schedule prescribed advance or retirement is not stated. A Russian communique claims that the Rumanians have repulsed the enemy in the Siii.rtria region. Berlin states that German Irooijr (p Transylvania are in contact with the Rumanians in the Hermannstadt district, and tire suggests the arrival of German ’reinforcements. On thc Moldavian front the Rumanians claim that the enemy arc retreating across rhe plateau between the Maros and Aluta Rivers, thc towns of Slimbon and Sehellernberg having been captured. At Orsova -the Rumanians have captured the fortified island of Adadkale, in tho Danube, which commands nil the river traffic. This will not onlv check the enemy’s monitors, but will provide a stepping stone across into Serbia if our strategy should require one at that paint. In any case, it will be ono more point for the enemy to watch. fronting north by south. Reports from Greece indicate that tho resignation of M. Zaimts is final, and M. Dimitrikopoulos, a one-time supporter and later an opponent of M. Venezelos, is considering the possibility of forming a Government. At first glance his interview with a representative of ‘ Le Journal,’ of Paris, would seem to stamp him as an enthusiastic advocate of intervention. He speaks of “ the detestable policy of neutrality for which the Gauj narist and Skoulodia Cabinet were re- | sponsible.” He admits that the policy of M. \ enezclos is the only one responding I to the interests and sentiments of Hellem ! ism.” _ He declares that tho policy of lemporisation cannot be maintained, particularly after Italy’s intervention in the Balkans, and regrets that Rumania intervened without Greece. This seems like a definite pronouncement in favor of intervention; but he goes on to say; “Greece must definitely enter the conflict on the side of the Entente or decide to remain neutral whatever happens.” This leaves him fronting north by south, and it will evidently be necessary to wait a while before deciding whether he is going to take action or is merely anotherThuffler. THE SOMME. General Foch has made another big forward step north of the Somme by the capture of the whole of the village of Bouchavesnes, which lies four miles almost due north of Peronne. This is a further .move in the scheme of .closing in upon

Peronne from the north,- long ago illustrated hero with maps. That town will soon be surrounded at tho present rate of progress. Nevertheless, it will be well to deal cautiously with such statements as that another forward step will compel its evacuation, and that the German line is now broken. The German line is not broken j-et, nor likely to be for some time. Although Peronne will soon become a marked salient, there will be no need to evacuate a naturally strong position on that account. The principal importance of the success lies in its proof that we completely outmatch the enemy in the west, and therefore they cannot despatch large reinforcements from that front to the east, where they are so badly needed. Over 1,500 prisoners have been captured in two days, and the French and British on the Somme and at Verdun have captured 260 guns, 647 machine guns, and 54,000 men since the beginning of Hie Somme offensive. We can advance steadily step by step, and the results prove that the enemy have not the reserves with which to stop us. King Ferdinand of Bulgaria and Enver Pasha are said tq be conferring with tho Kaiser and his Ministers; but what can they do? Nothing can be accomplished without'huge reinforcements, and these the enemy have not got. Von Hindenburg’s innovation of splitting the western front up into three principal sectors under the command of tho Crown Princes of Germany, Bavaria, and Wnrtemborg respectively is of little practical importance. It is'not by reshuffling her commands that Germany will win.